Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Why does Squeaky say the big kids in the neighborhood call her Mercury?

In ancient Roman mythology the god Mercury often performed the role of divine messenger. If the gods had important messages they wished to convey to mortals down below they would entrust the fleet-footed Mercury to deliver them. Mercury was often depicted in countless paintings, statues, and mosaics as wearing winged sandals. This was a way of emphasizing how quickly he could travel.
It's not surprising, then, that Squeaky, who describes herself as the fastest thing on two feet, should be compared to this legendary figure from antiquity. For good measure, Squeaky also refers to herself as "Miss Quicksilver." This is appropriate for two reasons. First, because quicksilver is another name for the chemical element mercury; and second, because it emphasizes Squeaky's speed as a runner.

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